Probably you have heard of Anna Scholz. In any case you should see this post. I made a lookbook of my favourite pieces from them and a super nice interview with the designer. She tells us details on her production process, on plus size industry, #plusisequal, #droptheplus, fittings and quality. She also shares her “must-haves” in the closet and new projects. Check this out.

Anna is German and moved to London in a mission of studying fashion design at Central Saint Martins so she could design herself clothes that would full fill her expectations of refined clothes for curvy ladies. In 1995 she presented her first collection and since then has been contributing to the plus size fashion industry with high quality and sophisticated designs to flatter the curvy ladies. Probably her own career as a successful plus size model gave her more grounds to enter the industry in such style.

When I first got my hands on Anna Scholz designs I could immediately see a difference in finish and quality of the fabrics. Then the great fit made me into a new fan of the brand, not only for the clothes themselves but also for the service they provide in the industry, making it possible for plus size ladies as myself to wear luxury designs with amazing fit.

I asked Anna some questions and here you can read in details about the production of a luxury plus size brand, views of an insider of the industry and so get to know better Anna Scholz. The lookbook I produced follows.

– Your designs are sophisticated and timeless. To achieve this level of quality and good fit, what are your main concerns when designing your pieces?

First of all I start with the theme/mood for the season and decide on a colour and print palette. I am passionate about prints and most of our prints are designed by us and exclusive to our brand. I choose the fabrics we print on very carefully as it is important to achieve great definition and colour in our prints. After designing the range I hand groups over to my pattern cutter who will draft our patterns and make the first toile. Fit is key! We fit on 2 different fit models with different body shapes to achieve the best possible shape for curvy women. Choosing the right factories with good craftsmanship is the final hurdle to produce a great garment which will last you for years.

– How do you see the plus size fashion industry nowadays?

I think we have come a long way and have many more choices in plus than ever before, but the plus consumer is very used to budget shopping and reluctant to spend money on quality items for their wardrobe. In straight sizes women buy collections in all different price levels, but in plus there are not many options on the designer level. However, I am very pleased about all the new voices of plus size customers and bloggers on social media creating a new awareness.

– Would you rather drop the “plus size” term or do you see the industry still using it in the future?

I dont have a problem with the term plus size at all as for me it is purely a description. I dont understand what all the fuss is about, there was a whole movement to #droptheplus and when Lane Bryant did their show in September, everyone jumped on the bandwagon #plusisequal again. We are happy and proud to be #exclusivelyplussize

– A lot of regular brands present production costs and fit for all body types as some of the main challenges when producing for full figured ladies. What would be the challenges in your opinion.

They are right, it is a lot costlier to fit for more than one bodytype and then grade all your patterns in 7 sizes like us or only produce around 4 sizes. It took us many years to get our fit spot on and work out our very own grading rules. And again convincing customers to spend more for good quality clothing is harder, our main criticism has always been price point. But we are a small designer brand, garments don’t get mass produced, the fabrics and print development is more expensive ( you use more fabric for plus sizes!) and we work with factories where the workers earn a proper living.

– You are also a great cooker, how do you see fashion and gastronomy alongside in your life?

I am passionate cook and as a creative person all around I love experimenting in the kitchen. I noticed people liking my food posts on Instagram more and more and thought healthy cooking for curves would add another dimension to my brand. SLINK magazine asked me to write a cooking column #annaskitchen for their magazine and I also added a curvy fitness column #healthycurves. We are launching our first fitness range in the new year My own journey over the last 5 years has been one of transformation and a healthier lifestyle as I strongly believe that you can be #curvyandhealthy and I love inspiring women to be confident and healthier.

– What are the 3 “must-have” for the plus size wardrobe?

Haha you are asking the wrong person as I have 3 very full wardrobes and love reinventing myself and dress to suit my daily mood. But I would def say a well fitting plunge bra, a staple sexy black dress and a great pair of jeans.